CAISO Forecasts Record-high Energy Use Today; Customers Can Help By Giving Their Appliances The Afternoon Off.Business/News Editors SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 1, 2000 Tuesday, August 1, 2000, is expected to be the fourth day of a statewide heat wave, and set records for energy usage with a projected high of 46,245 MW. The California Independent System Operator (CAISO CAISO California Independent System Operator ), which manages the state's electric grid, has asked that all Californians redouble re·dou·ble v. re·dou·bled, re·dou·bling, re·dou·bles v.tr. 1. To double. 2. To repeat. 3. Games To double the doubling bid of (an opponent) in bridge. v. their conservation efforts. Pacific Gas and Electric Company
The Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) , (NYSE: PCG), is the utility that provides natural gas and electricity to most of Northern California. urges its customers to be part of the solution. The previous record for energy usage across the state was 45,884 MW on July 12, 1999. The extraordinary economic growth in California the past few years has pushed the demand for energy at higher-than-anticipated rates. As a result, the CAISO expects electricity supplies to be very tight throughout this summer and into next summer. Because the state's electrical system is built to meet the needs of all Californians, particularly services provided by institutions such as hospitals, day care centers, police stations and fire stations, the CAISO has asked everyone to conserve energy as much as possible. Pacific Gas and Electric Company offers the following tips to help its customers reduce their energy usage: -- Close drapes drape v. draped, drap·ing, drapes v.tr. 1. To cover, dress, or hang with or as if with cloth in loose folds: draped the coffin with a flag; a robe that draped her figure. and blinds during the day to keep the heat out of your home. -- Set your air conditioner conditioner, n 1. an additive substance used to increase the effectiveness of another substance. 2. a substance added to enamel that improves a sealant's ability to adhere. thermostat thermostat, automatic device that regulates temperature in an enclosed area by controlling heating or refrigerating systems. It is commonly connected to one of these systems, turning it on or off in order to maintain a predetermined temperature. at 78 or higher when at home. Turn it off or raise air conditioning air conditioning, mechanical process for controlling the humidity, temperature, cleanliness, and circulation of air in buildings and rooms. Indoor air is conditioned and regulated to maintain the temperature-humidity ratio that is most comfortable and healthful. to a warmer temperature when you leave. Air conditioners Conditioners used on leather take many shapes and forms. They are used mostly to keep leather from drying out and deteriorating. A very old and widely used conditioner is dubbin. account for as much as 40 to 60 percent of summer energy bills. (Note: Seniors and people with special medical needs should check with their doctors before changing their normal home temperatures.) -- Use a fan instead of an air conditioner if the weather is mild. -- Shift the use of heat-producing appliances such as ovens, dishwashers, clothes dryers and irons from mid-day to early in the morning or later at night when possible. -- Turn off lights when they are not needed. Seventy-five percent of the electricity used by an incandescent in·can·des·cent adj. 1. Emitting visible light as a result of being heated. 2. Shining brilliantly; very bright. See Synonyms at bright. 3. bulbs becomes waste heat, not light. -- Use your microwave or broiler broiler a young (about 8 weeks old) male or female chicken weighing 3 to 3.5 lb. oven for cooking small quantities of food. They use half the energy of a regular oven and keep your kitchen cooler. -- Dry laundry on a line to avoid using clothes dryers. You can put laundry in the dryer when it's almost dry; a sheet of fabric softener Fabric softener (also called Fabric Conditioner) is used to prevent static cling and make fabric softer. Popular brand names include Lenor, Lenor/Downy, Snuggle, and Comfort. will take the stiffness out of the clothes. -- Check pool and spa pump timers and set the time for early morning or overnight use. Below is a list of the top energy guzzlers in the home. By giving appliances the afternoon off, Californians can reduce their energy bills while they help the state meet electric needs:
Appliance Average Appliance Average
Monthly Cost Monthly Cost
------------- ------------
Air Conditioning $60-$90 Microwave $3
(Cooling Season)
Bathroom Lighting $0.40-$1.60 Waterbed $6-$22
Bedroom Lighting $0.80 Printer $4
(per lamp)
Kitchen Lighting $0.40-$1.25 Portable Fan $2
Television $1-$6 Range $2-$5
Computer $10-$12 Refrigerator $10-$22
Clock Radio $0.33 Stereo $1 or less
Hair Dryer $0.60 Heating (Gas) $40-$200
Kitchen Exhaust $0.30-$0.60 Hot Water Heater
Hood Gas $7-$19
Electric $20-$70
Today's announcement is part of Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Customer Energy Awareness Program, launched in May to encourage customers to reduce their energy usage during hot days. Information on the company's conservation and demand relief programs, such as E-Bid and the Home Energy Survey are available on the web site (www.pge.com). For more information about Pacific Gas and Electric Company, please visit our web site, http://www.pge.com |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion